Officials: Michigan's seat belt use rate remaining steady

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Officials say Michigan's seat belt use rate is remaining steady from a year ago.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning says Wednesday that a direct observation survey conducted statewide by the Wayne State University Transportation Research Group found the rate was 93 percent. The state's record was 98 percent in 2009.

Law enforcement officers from police departments, sheriff's offices and Michigan State Police posts from across the state have been increasing seat belt enforcement this year. One effort around the Memorial Day holiday period led to thousands of traffic stops.

State officials say that Michigan's official seat belt use rate for 2015 will be determined after a second survey in September.

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Online:

http://www.michigan.gov/ohsp